All posts tagged Gov’t Mule

Guitarist Warren Haynes has become fairly well known over the past 35 years for his work with the Allman Brothers Band, Gov’t Mule and various Grateful Dead offshoots. Yet even after all that time, Haynes figures some of his fans will be surprised by a not-often-seen side the veteran rocker shows on his new album “Ashes & Dust.” Speakeasy premieres the album today.

“There are some people that really know me as a guitar player who might think this is really different from what I’ve done, and I guess it is in some ways,” Haynes says. “But there’s plenty of guitar playing on this record, it’s just surrounded by acoustic instruments.”

Gov’t Mule is marking its 20th anniversary by digging into the band’s live archives, which include an assortment of Rolling Stones covers. One of them, “Monkey Man,” premieres today on Speakeasy.

The jam-oriented rockers played the song as part of a Halloween show in Philadelphia in 2009. It’s one of seven Stones covers on “Stoned Side of the Mule: Volume 1,” which also includes versions of “Under My Thumb,”“Shattered,”“Paint It Black” and “Angie.”

Gov’t Mule wanted to include guest vocalists on songs for its coming album “Shout!,” but the rockers didn’t want to minimize any outside contributions. They’re maximizing them instead, with a two-disc collection featuring two versions of every song on the album. The first disc features vocals by Gov’t Mule frontman and guitarist Warren Haynes. The bonus disc offers interpretations of the songs by singers including Elvis Costello, Ben Harper, Dr. John and Dave Matthews, whose version of “Forsaken Savior” premieres today on Speakeasy, alongside Haynes’ take.

The band wrote and recorded the song as a tribute of sorts to Levon Helm, the former drummer for the Band, who died last year. Haynes thought Matthews was the right person to sing the alternate version thanks to Matthews’ occasional collaborations with Emmylou Harris, which show a different side of the singer than his forays leading the Dave Matthews Band.

Hear Haynes’ and Matthews’ takes on “Forsaken Savior” after the jump. Read More »

After sets by Raphael Saddiq and Allen Toussaint that explored different sides of the American R&B coin, I spent Saturday enjoying what I’ll come to think of as an extraordinary triple bill: Gov’t Mule, Wilco and, after a dinner break, Bruce Springsteen & the E Street Band. Those three acts tackle rock in ways that are as different from each other as is Saddiq and Toussaint’s approach to funk.

Gov’t Mule’s Warren Haynes is just off the road following a stint with the Dead and continues as a key member of the Allman Brothers Band. Gov’t Mule is his showcase; it allows him to demonstrate his generous spirit as well as his considerable skills. Yesterday afternoon, he and his three band mates explored rock that at times bordered on heavy metal and at others opened up enough to allow jazz-like exploration. Though he’s an inventive songwriter, Haynes and the group performed the Beatles’ “Helter Skelter,” Radiohead’s “Creep,” U2’s “One” and, with Grace Potter, Neil Young’s “Southern Man,” thus connecting with an audience that may not be familiar with its original material. An underrated singer with a raspy, soulful voice, Haynes nailed his vocals; originally from North Carolina, he adds a touch of the south to every line he sings. Mule’s 90-minute set was satisfying and yet, given how well Haynes and the band performed, I could’ve listened to them play for twice as long –- that is, if I didn’t have to run off to catch the start of Wilco’s set. Read More »

Two weeks ago, actress and singer Patti LuPone grabbed a cell phone out of the hand of an audience member who was texting during a performance of her current play, "Shows for Days." The bold move led to an outpouring of support from fans fed up with glowing screens. Ms. LuPone gives us her five rules of theater etiquette.